The Isle of Wight’s Falls Prevention team have had a great start to ‘April Falls Month’, giving information to over 200 people across the Island in the first week.
The team have given lots of advice to many who have had a fall or who are looking to ensure they stay steady and live independently for as long as possible. New ferrules have been fitted to walking sticks with cards containing simple reminders to keeping healthy and safe at home being given to walking aid users.
Post Offices across the Island have been very accommodating with this offer to their customers. On Tuesday, Jill Arblaster received new ferrules for all her walking sticks at St Lawrence Post Office and accepted professional advice from Claire Wilkes, Specialist Occupational Therapist from the Isle of Wight NHS Trust and the Independent Living Centre.
Falls Awareness information will be available next week at:
Monday 11th – Whippingham Post Office, Alverstone Road, Whippingham between 10:00-14:00
Tuesday 12th – Chale Green Stores between 09:00-12noon
Wednesday 13th – Pallance Road Post Office, Northwood between 09:30-12:30
Thursday 14th – Pan Stores, Furrlongs, Newport between 09:30-12:30 and Freshwater Methodist Hall, Action on Hearing Loss Hearing Aid Drop in between 14:00-16:00
Friday 15th – Falcon Cross Hall, Falcon Cross Road, Shanklin between 09:30-12:30
Friday’s event in Shanklin will be attended by representatives from The Older Drivers Forum, Blue Lamp Trust, Age UK IW, British Red Cross, a Physiotherapist from the Isle of Wight NHS Trust and People Matter IW.
Light refreshments will be available to raise funds for the Links Trust, a charity who offer regular outings for local older people in Sandown and Shanklin area.
The Alzheimer cafes in Sandown and Cowes will be visited this week too.
Photographed: Jill Arblaster with Peter Martin and Sharon Cleveley who run St Lawrence Post Office
